Deferred action allows an individual to remain in the United States temporarily but does not provide a path to permanent residence or citizenship. One of these actions will expand the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that was initiated in 2012.

Another will give parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents the opportunity to defer their deportation for three years and receive work authorization. This is known as DAPA, which stands for Deferred Action on Parental Accountability. Applications for the expanded DACA will not be accepted until probably February and DAPA applicants will likely have to wait until May at the earliest. These actions will offer some temporary relief and keep families together.